Stopper-extractor.



PATENTED FEB. 14. 1905.

W. 11. WHEELER. STOPPEB. EXTRACTOR.

APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 1, 1904.

UNITED STATES Patented February 14, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM H. WHEELER, OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, ASSIGNOR TO THE CROVN CORKAND SEAL GO., OF BALTIMORE, MARYLAND, A CORPO- RATION OF MARYLAND.

STOPPER-EXTRACTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 782,711, dated February14, 1905.

Application filed March l, 1904. Serial No. 196,193.

To (1J/Z whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. WHEELER,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Baltimore, Maryland, haveinvented certain new 5 and useful Improvements in Stopper-Extractors, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention set forth herein is a bottleopening fixture for removingbottle-Stoppers adapted to be used either on a vertical or under ahorizontal surface.

It consists in a special simple form easily and cheaply made and adaptedto operate equally well in either position. It is illustrated in theaccompanying figures, in whichVM Figure l is a view of the deviceunattached. Fig. 2 is a view of the same secured to a verticalstationary surface and the manner of use in this position; and Fig. 3 isa similar view of the device attached to a horizontal support, as theunder side of a table or counter.

This form shown is especially adapted to be applied to what is known inthe trade as the Aluminium stoppen but it may by a slight change in theengaging edge be used with other forms of Stoppers. It consists of afiat base-plate 4, having openings 5 in the edges for the fixing-screws.On this is fixed a bracket or frame 6 in plane at right angles to thebase. opener it is necessary that the bottle when in n 'engagement withthe opener should have its mouth elevated to prevent spilling,land thiselevated position of the mouth Vshould be maintained whatever lever-likemovement of thebottle may be necessary in wrenching off the stopper.This must be provided for in the construction of a device intended forhorizontal or vertical position. I have accomplished this by means oftwo bearing edges or surfaces on the frame or bracket 6, with spurs oredges 7 and 8 at the extremities of their surfaces. The bearing-surfacebetween the engaging points 7 and 8 is so arranged in In opening bottlesby a fixed relation to the base that when the base is fixed Linder ahorizontal surface, as shown in Fig. 8, the bottle will be, when inengagement for opening` in the required inclined position thereindicated, and an easy downward pressure upon the bottle as upon a leverwill pry off the stopper. This arrangement of the bearing-surface justdescribed is inclined to the base, and this gives the bottle inengagement the proper inclined position, changed to vertical in the actof removal by the downward pressure.

When the device is fixed to a vertical surface, as shown in Fig. 2, thestraight edge of the bracket is below the engaging point 8, whichoperates in that position. This edge or bearing-surface is approximatelyat right angles to the one first described, or at about the same angle(reversely) to the base as the surface between points 7 and 8. Theresult therefore is the same both in the engaging position of the bottleand its position at the end of the opening movement. The engaging pointsare respectively at the upper ends of their bearing-surfaces, on whichthe bottle-mouth fulcrums.

I preferably form this device in one piece, and it is accommodated tothe user whether he require avertical or horizontal position of thebase.

I claim- A bottle-opening fixture consisting of a base and a bracketfixed thereto, having two bearing-surfaces, equally and reverselyinclined to the base, and an engaging point or edge at the extremity ofeach bearing-surface, substantially as described. 8O

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

I/VILLIAM H. I/VHEELER.

Witnesses:

HOWARD D. ADAMS, HARVEY OOALE.

